We asked candidates standing for Commissioner seats in the upcoming election to answer questions on topics important to our neighborhood. Read their responses below.
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program: What is your opinion of the recently introduced Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program which creates sending and receiving districts within the City?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
My stance on the recently introduced Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program is one of cautious optimism. While TDR programs can offer a mechanism for managing growth, it’s imperative that any such program serves the interests of the residents and the character of our city, not just development interests.
I believe that any TDR program must be carefully scrutinized to ensure it doesn’t lead to overdevelopment or the erosion of historic or environmentally-sensitive areas. As your commissioner, I would insist on robust community engagement, including public hearings and impact assessments, before any TDR program is implemented. Additionally, ongoing reviews would be necessary to ensure that the program is not having negative impacts on our community.
The bottom line is this: Any development strategy, including a TDR program, must be a win-win for the City and its residents. If it doesn’t serve the community as a whole, then it’s not a program that I can support.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
I have been watching with interest how this works in other cities, and I’m not sold on the idea in and of itself. However, specifically in Miami Beach, based on decades of history, I do not believe we are capable of executing this in a responsible and uncorrupted manner. We have a very solid track record of giving an inch but losing a mile.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I am opposed to the recently introduced Transfer of Development Rights Program.
David Suarez (Group 5):
I am not in favor of it. It will balkanize our neighborhoods against each other. This is a pro-development concept that is bad public policy.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
While knocking on over 3,500 doors since the start of my campaign, one clear consensus is that people do not want more overdevelopment, and ToD would clearly lead to a wave of significant new development. While Transfer of Development Rights has worked in other parts of the County such as the MiMo district across the Bay, this could set an incredibly dangerous precedent in Miami Beach. This would pit neighborhoods against neighborhoods, with some areas looking to keep a low scale historic feel, while monetizing the overdevelopment of other neighborhoods. Additionally, as proposed, our West Avenue Alton Road area has been specifically targeted / identified as an area that would be on the ‘receiving end’ of development rights, which would add a substantial amount of new development right here in our neighborhood.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
As it stands currently it is not acceptable. There are numerous considerations that are currently not protected, the least of which are transfers into Historic Preservation areas.
Baywalk: What plans do you have to help expedite construction of the Baywalk along West Avenue?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I support the completion of the Baywalk along West Avenue, as it has been in the making for over 20 years.,
David Suarez (Group 5):
Hold monthly meetings with city staff for progress reports.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
I have been involved in advocating for our Baywalk for nearly ten years, attending Commission meetings, Land Use Meetings, and Neighborhood Committee meetings to push to prioritize this integral project. I will be the champion of our Baywalk on the Commission, and put it on the agenda for every single commission and committee meeting until it gets moving. I will demand a bi-weekly report from our Capital Improvements division, and hold city staff accountable when no progress is made. Additionally, I have twenty years of private sector experience in working on infrastructure projects such as this and leading the coordination amongst multiple agencies like is needed here, and I will prioritize and lead these initiatives for the city.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
We need to prioritize this. The city has numerous ways to leverage and expedite this, including the use of eminent domain.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
I will work with the City Administration to identify the roadblocks and work with stakeholders to expedite this project. As commissioner, I intend to be hands on achieving progress on items that have been delayed for far too long.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
Residents of affected buildings and the City must work collaboratively to ensure the completion of this long-awaited project. Concerns of affected buildings must be heard, and plans devised to ensure that the concerns will be monitored and course-corrected as needed. In particular, the stretch behind 1000-1200 West Ave must be completed ASAP, as the developer committed to having that done before the new Canopy Park was to be completed, and as of today, it doesn’t appear that any work has been done on this stretch of the Baywalk.
How would you encourage certain hesitant holdout buildings to agree to allow construction to go forward?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Any buildings receiving permits from the city should be required to comply with the Baywalk master plan. For instance, the Mondrian was given permits for a $20mm renovation that allows them to monetize the Baywalk while the owner / developer was required to construct the portion of the Baywalk behind 1000, 1100, and 1200 West Avenue. As buildings all along West Avenue increasingly need city permits, participating in the Baywalk expansion should be required.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
They can be incentivized through many different techniques including the threat of eminent domain.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
Direct and transparent conversations are the only way we can achieve consensus.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I would refer to the original documents that supported or required building the Baywalk to persuade hesitant holdout buildings.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Continue to engage in dialogues and negotiations between Condo Associations and City Hall.
Bike Lanes: What are your proposals to make West Ave. a more bike and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
This is a great opportunity to partner with county leaders to invest with the city in unique bikeable strategies like we see in parts of Europe. Miami Beach should be a model city for pedestrian safety, but it requires partnerships and investments to get there. As someone who moves around the city without a car, I want to push this forward.
Although, all current plans for west avenue are showing green bike paths on both sides of the road, which is good and bad because it is part of the cause of losing parking spaces.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
As mentioned above, we need to do a much better job of creating more, and safer, bike lanes. That means PROTECTED bike lanes (i.e. armadillos* along every bike lane, at a minimum), proper green lane markings rather than sharrows, and plentiful bike parking and bike rental options.
*Armadillos, while not as good as separate roads or concrete barriers, provide a significant amount of protection to cyclists while not impeding emergency vehicles access to traffic lanes as needed.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I would urge the immediate construction of the West Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Project, which includes protected bike lanes on West Avenue and wider sidewalks throughout the entire neighborhood, along with shade trees and landscaping.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Designate dedicated bike lanes with green paint along West Ave. Also, raised and visually enhanced crosswalks to slow down vehicles along West Ave. Ensure there are public works and sanitation cleaning and maintaining programs for existing sidewalks.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
The urban planning / streetscape on West Avenue should be completely reconfigured. We are one of the densest residential neighborhoods in our city, but no where does it feel comfortable or safe to be a pedestrian or bike rider. There are areas of west avenue where the sidewalk is impassable if two people are walking in opposite directions, yet we have FIVE lanes of traffic, which include parking on both sides, a lane of traffic in each direction, and a center lane or turning lane. Sidewalks should be expanded, Baywalk expedited, and bike lanes protected.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
If we create and protect bike lanes with more permanent structures and we create more pedestrian priority crosswalks with lighting and protections we can achieve this.
Mooring Field: If you are elected, what will you do differently to work with the City and Marine Patrol to control some of the activities that presently take place in the Bay which are harmful to our waters and marine life as regarding vessels anchored in Bay waters?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I would require more information to answer this question.
David Suarez (Group 5):
As an environmentalist, I will do everything in my power to ensure our marine waterways are no longer abused by “squatter boats.” I would remove and prohibit these “squatter boats” access points into our city. Small boats/dinghies are used along the Dade Blvd. waterway to get groceries from Publix. I will do everything possible to disincentivize boat squatting within our waterways.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
The waterways have become our new area where tourists completely disregard residential quality of life with an anything goes attitude. Enforcement must be stepped up, with loud vessels better regulated, and the penalty for illegal charters stepped up, with one possibility losing their rights / license for the marina. The police must provide a most robust, wholescale solution, as to not just shift the party from land to sea.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
Protecting our bay waters is a priority of mine. Allowing reckless and dangerous activities in our bay waters is unacceptable. I will push for safer standards that protect our residents and bay waters.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
We need to bring forward legislation that addresses this issue and receive commitment with the varying marine patrol units to implement our approach that ensures our waters are protected and preserved.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
As the Vice Chair of the Planning Board and with Commissioner Meiner, I have already started working on the unintended consequences that we are dealing with resulting from business that were not contemplated when our laws governing these issues were written, specifically dealing with private charter companies operating out of private residential marinas.
Given the proliferation of uncontrolled charter activity and unsafe/disruptive boating on our waterways, we are sorely under-resourced from an enforcement perspective – both at the marinas, and on the waters, and we need to provide the resources in materiel and staff to address that.
Would you support a Miami Beach mooring field to control and regulate vessels anchored in the Bay; if so, how do you envision that mooring field / if you are not supportive, why not?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Yes, while I am broadly supportive of a mooring field, the unintended consequences must be strongly considered in the implementation / execution, as to be sure the problem is not consolidated and moved from one area to another.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
Yes, I would support this to regulate vessels. The city of Miami has created several mooring fields which have very positive results for residents and boaters alike.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
If elected, I would wholeheartedly support the establishment of a Miami Beach mooring field to control and regulate vessels anchored in the Bay. The city is already in the design and permitting stage for this project, which is a significant step forward in mitigating activities that harm our waters and marine life.
Selecting the right operator for the mooring field is crucial, and I would actively participate in this process to ensure we choose a partner committed to environmental stewardship. Additionally, it is important to coordinate with the state to establish non-anchoring zones around the islands. This is essential to ensure that the problem is not simply shifted to other neighborhoods.
As for the mooring field itself, it will require well-thought-out amenities like a dinghy dock for boaters and a proper sewer pump-out service. This could be implemented either as a land-based facility or as a mobile service to maintain cleanliness and ecological balance in the Bay.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
We need to protect our Bay waters and a mooring field is the first of three approaches which need to happen concurrently. By creating a mooring field from 5th to Sunset Harbor, we will be able to better govern the activities and practices of boaters who visit us, and exact a better standard of compliance with best practices to protect our waters and our neighbors.
Concurrently, we need to be a part of the County/DERM’s planned “temporary parking” zones where boaters could stay for up to 30 days. While it’s not as good as a mooring field, it would help keep boaters from taking up full-time, unregulated residence in our waters.
And finally, we need to work with Tallahassee to enact more of the “no anchor” zones that already exist around some of the islands in our city to protect waterfront neighborhoods where any mooring isn’t appropriate.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
Yes, I would support a Miami Beach mooring field. It would allow for better monitoring and water quality testing, as well as accountability for illegal waste disposal into the bay.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Yes, I would 100% support it. I would envision 12-hour max time frames within a 24-hour period, thus forcing any and all boats to leave after 12 hours. There would also have to be strict enforcement on wastewater management (waste tank checks). Include any additional noise ordinances with a zero-tolerance policy on any violations, or risk permanent suspension.
City Wide Issues: Lincoln Road has become but a shell of what it once was. It now looks rundown and even blighted due to the increased number of closed storefronts. Juvia Restaurant is the latest example of a great establishment closing. What are your plans for reviving Lincoln Road?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
It’s time for a fresh master plan for Lincoln Road with a clear vision that brings forward private and public sector strategies to the table.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
We need better and more consistent police presence and homeless outreach on Lincoln Road to ensure that pedestrians feel safe when walking down Lincoln Road. We also need better enforcement on hawking (although it has improved significantly over the past few years) and on noise…currently you can sit in one outdoor seating area and be blasted out by the adjacent restaurant’s music. If need be, we need a moratorium on any outdoor music until we have a way to properly enforce the laws already on our books.
Until the rent cycle swings back in our favor, we need to create a program whereby empty retail spaces can be used as 6-12 month pop ups for not-for-profits, artists, makers, etc. so that they have an opportunity to showcase what they’re doing and activate the space, and the landlord can still keep claiming his/her tax benefits (not ideal, but it’s better than the space staying vacant). We need to work with the new president of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce to jointly promote the potential of what Lincoln Road could be again as we work to attract new or expanding businesses to our community.
And lastly, as a really short-term solution, we need to incentivize landlords to allow adjacent retailers to activate the windows to show “your business here: as thestorefront.com says, “A vacant space is a landlord’s best asset and highest marketing channel. The most viable (and profitable) way to promote a space for rent is actually showing it while it’s active. This way, potential tenants can see its use instead of an empty space and the surrounding street value can increase as well. Through short-term events and pop-up stores, otherwise empty spaces come alive in a much more direct and versatile way.”
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
The primary focus should be on providing a clean and safe environment. Once those issues are resolved, Lincoln Road and other neighborhoods will naturally flourish.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Create an enhanced “fast track” department within the building department to expedite the permitting process. Continue forward with the money appropriated to enhance the appearance of LR. Reduce homelessness. Work with local businesses and staff for better activations.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
It is important to understand what has led to these issues if we look to address them. No longer is Lincoln Road real estate owned by local mom & pop landlords, but now controlled by national / international Real Estate Investment Trusts, Hedge Funds, private equity, etc., which has led to exorbitant rents driving out local retailers. The area has also become stale and run down, with the entrance corridors such as Washington & Lincoln and Alton & Lincoln looking blighted and unwelcome. We must provide incentives to bring back smaller, independent retailers, and also facilitate a stronger local economy that is not so cyclical and based entirely on tourism, rather supported by full time residents. The area / Lincoln Road BID must focus on public beautification, while the city must prioritize safety and limiting vagrancy.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
I am just old enough to remember when Lincoln Road was board line abandoned. We revitalized Lincoln Road in the 1990’s by encouraging and incentivizing the occupation of vacant spaces with art galleries. This can be done again by working in collaboration with landlords.
What solutions do you have to ending the cycle of tragedies occurring during Spring break?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
Immediate measures should include moving noise and activities off the streets and into establishments, as well as enforcing vehicle noise violations.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Ensure Enforcement 365/days a year. I am a proponent of shutting down in 2024 the 2nd and 3rd week of March to 10pm alcohol sales. Our police have endorsed my campaign for the City Commission because I will work to ensure they have all of the resources they need to keep our city safe, especially during high impact weekends.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Longer term, the city should provide incentives for lower end, run down hotels / hostels / STR to transition to full time residential housing. This will give a community that has more of a vested interest in our area. Shorter term, the problems of spring break are often coming from the greater Miami Dade and Broward areas where people drive in from surrounding areas to cause trouble. MB needs to drastically step-up traffic enforcement, and tow any vehicles illegally parked in residential housing districts, while also closing city garages to non-residents at 8pm.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
We can curb this through 100% enforcement and alternate programming. If we restrict the activities and enforce all existing laws while conducting a clear campaign that lawlessness will not be tolerated, these tourists will go elsewhere. Superseding programming will help to eliminate spring break as an option for many of the current tourists.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
To end the cycle of tragedies occurring during Spring Break, we need a comprehensive reset that includes new programming options and a well-executed marketing campaign. This strategy would aim to attract a more diverse and responsible crowd, promoting events and activities that are safe and enjoyable for all.
In addition to this, we should also bolster the enforcement of existing laws to control illegal drinking, particularly on Ocean Drive. I’ve proposed several ideas in the past to enhance law enforcement capabilities in this area. In addition to having a staffed crime watch center that we have only been speaking about it for 5 years and not executed on.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
I no longer refer to it as “Spring Break” since the problems aren’t being caused by college kids on vacation. With apologies to the NCAA, a version of this “March Madness” happens almost every day somewhere in our city. Special events should never be welcomed at the expense of residents or businesses. In City Hall, I’ll adopt a proactive and responsible approach to public safety as well as special events. My vision calls for long-term planning to avert annual chaos: increased support for law enforcement officers and first responders; year-round use of license plate readers to stop dangerous individuals from roaring across our causeways in cars loaded with guns and drugs; heightened regulation of parking for non-residents, both on our streets and in city-owned garages; and strict enforcement of the many sensible laws we already have on the books, every day in every neighborhood.
We will bring order to chaos by stamping out illegal behavior and insisting upon accountability for those engaging in it. Other cities around the country and around the world have successfully done so. We can too. In an effort to mitigate the chaos of March Madness, the city continues throwing off-brand events (and trying to install off-brand “attractions”) into our public parks which don’t highlight the strengths of our city: our year-round outdoor exercise facilities, beaches, cultural institutions, and more. Cultural and health / fitness tourism fit our brand and highlight many of our strengths without limiting our other offerings like world-class dining and nightlife.
What would you do differently with MBPD & Code enforcement to be more effective in improving resident & tourist safety/enforcement?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
I have been proactive in advocating for public safety for nearly a decade, being part of the original Miami Beach Crime & Prevention group, often times providing a physical presence or patrol on weekends, to truly understand and assess our situation, and how it is handled by police. Police should have a more visible presence, especially in our problematic areas such as along Ocean Drive, Collins, and Washington Avenue. Stop gathering in large groups and provide a constant and visible presence in these corridors. More proactive traffic enforcement and policing of quality of life issues, such as loud music, tire screeching, and enforcement of smaller issues that permeate the ‘anything goes mentality’ which often lead to an environment that then fosters more serious issues.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
First off, I think we need additional officers on the streets particularly in key high crime areas. We need to use data more effectively towards combating crime. We need to make crime statistics available in real time so that residents are aware of what is happening and can accommodate. We should create housing incentives that encourage officers to live in our city. Code Enforcement must become a priority to enact a Clean Streets campaign that eliminates blight and public trash.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
Improving resident and tourist safety requires more than just enforcing laws; it’s about building a sense of community and making everyone feel secure. To that end, I propose several actionable steps:
- Increased Police Presence: I advocate for a full police presence in key areas of the city, both during peak tourist times and in residential areas. This presence is crucial for actual safety and equally important for the perception of safety. Many of our residents currently do not feel safe, and that needs to change.
Community Engagement: The police department should engage proactively with the community. Frequent town halls, workshops, and social events hosted by MBPD could bridge the gap between law enforcement and residents, fostering a more cooperative environment. - Effective Marketing: How we present ourselves as a city influences who we attract. A dedicated marketing campaign should highlight Miami Beach as a family-friendly, safe, and attractive destination.
Reinvest in Neighborhoods: We must strengthen our residential communities through targeted investment in public services, local businesses, and public spaces. A strong, empowered community is the first line of defense against crime and disorder. - Data-Driven Decisions: Code Enforcement, like MBPD, should leverage data analytics to pinpoint areas needing the most attention. This allows for more effective allocation of resources and quicker responses to emerging problems.
- Transparency and Accountability: I propose that we create an accessible public dashboard where residents can view updated statistics on crime live, code enforcement actions, and community engagement initiatives. This level of transparency builds trust between residents, tourists, and law enforcement agencies.
By implementing these measures, we can create a Miami Beach where residents and tourists not only are safe but also feel safe. As your commissioner, I will work diligently to put these plans into action, aiming for a more balanced, secure community for everyone.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
We need 100% accountability from our Code Enforcement team – they need to understand the laws, and not be cowed by bad operators when they try to enforce them. We need to ensure we have enough staff to cover all of our neighborhoods, and that they act proactively by patrolling neighborhoods, as well as reactively when called on a particular issue. Enforcing the laws on our books on consistently leads into the “broken window” theory of policing and will yield far superior quality of life for our visitors, residents, and businesses.
Police officers need to GET OUT OF THEIR CARS. We need regular foot and bike patrols. In many cases, we know EXACTLY where drug dealers set up shop, whether on Ocean Drive, Ocean Terrace, or any one of the many parklets along our waterways. If residents know about them, why aren’t the police actively shutting them down? Boots on the street – every day, every neighborhood – no exceptions.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I propose more visible law enforcement, including officers walking the beat and biking the streets. Code should be rigorously enforced.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Insist that city code officers be more proactive than reactive in terms of noise issues. We need to have on foot police patrolling, not just in their vehicles with the lights on. Ensure that biker and ATV gangs are no longer permitted to roam freely throughout our city. Anti-loitering laws must be enforced.
How would you propose handling the current MB homeless crisis?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
As taxpayers we invest quite a bit into the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust and we need to get from them a more aggressive strategy on how they will handle our growing homeless population. Since we have a dedicated agency to this issue, we as city leaders, need to be proactive in bringing them and holding them to accountable when we have a growing crisis. If we need to adopt new policies or additional funding is needed, I am ready to take action but we need a plan from those who are on the frontlines of the issue. But, status quo isn’t an option and I will make sure we deploy responsible and compassionate strategies.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
We already have an exemplary program which other cities seek to emulate. Unfortunately, however, it is not enough. This week there will be a new law proposed by our City Attorney’s office which is modeled on existing and effective law in Orlando and I am eager to see what is proposed, so I will reserve comment until then. One major issue, however, is where we take the homeless with mental health/addiction issues when they are moved off the street: the current law mandates that they be taken to the nearest medical facility. In our case, that is Mount Sinai hospital, but they are not equipped to handle these issues the way that Jackson is, and the patient is quickly discharged back onto the streets with no measurable improvement or action plan. It is imperative that our city lobbyists work with Tallahassee to change the law to allow us to take homeless to the medical facility best suited to address their medical needs, not simply the closest one.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I would stay the current path. The latest count shows that the number of homeless individuals is decreasing.
David Suarez (Group 5): Disincentivize homelessness in Miami Beach. Most of these homeless are transients, not residents tuned homeless. Disable free wifi, free charging stations, and I will co-sponsor and support the no sleeping in public places ordinance that Commissioner Alex Fernandez has put on the recent agenda.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Our homeless issue is getting worse by the day, and it is amongst the highest priorities to stem this. We have seen iconic US cities such as San Francisco, LA, etc allow homelessness to reach a critical mass and it becomes incredibly difficult to reverse this. We are a compassionate city that needs to provide resources for those truly down on their luck, but the overwhelming majority of the homeless in our city are of the ‘professional homeless type.’ We must be more proactive in policing and enforcement with homeless, and if more resources are to be allocated, the City of Miami is better prepared to provide resources like extra beds, etc.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
This is an immensely complicated problem that requires a comprehensive solution. We need to engage the county homelessness program which has millions of dollars of resources available. We need to deploy a team of social service agents to determine who can help those who determine who needs addiction treatment , financial services to move them into housing and those who mental health services. There needs to be a zero tolerance for panhandling and aggressive solicitation. This requires a comprehensive approach that is humane and includes strict enforcement.
What are your recommendations for improving resident housing in our neighborhood vs. the current trend for converting residential property into hotels or short term rentals?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
On day one, I would propose legislation that stopped any further conversion of residential housing to transient usage. In fact, seeing so many of our neighbors kicked out of their homes and turning them into hotels is one of the primary reasons I decided to run. We should also look to provide incentives to reverse this trend, and actually convert older inventory of housing / STR to full-time residential housing. Zoning should be readdressed to stop providing incentives to build more hotels, with a new focus on residential housing.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
If we curtail short term permits and variances then we will remove the incentive of investors to engage in this activity.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
I would put a moratorium on hotel development. There are already thousands of units in the pipeline yet to be built. Airbnbs destroy the fabric of residential neighborhoods and hinder housing affordability.
David Suarez (Group 5): Create an overlay district City-wide that prohibits the conversion from residential to short term rentals (STR). I am completely against any form of STR within residential neighborhoods.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
I believe the days of short-term rentals must be over for Miami Beach. We need to return to neighborhood investments and that requires a renewed focus on true residential housing and residential properties.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
I would like to see a total moratorium on converting residential property to transient use until we can come up with appropriate incentives to minimize this trend.
What is your opinion of this increasingly common practice of fractional ownership properties? What plans would you recommend to curtail this sort of legal property ownership structure?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
[Has requested more details].
David Suarez (Group 5):
I am not in favor and will employ all legally enforceable remedies to stop it.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
I would need to learn more from our city attorney on feasibility under law to tackle this issue.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
I am 100% against this trend. I don’t yet know what legal remedies are available to us since we are largely preempted by Tallahassee on these issues, but I will work toward finding a way to limit or, ideally, eliminate these practices in our city.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
The city should lead the way in providing education on this new type of ownership, as it should be addressed at a level in condo docs. This concept seems ripe to escape transparency in ownership and provide be primarily for investors that do not have our community at the forefront of priorities.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
If we limit the ability to do short term rentals ( AirBNB ) this will discourage fractional ownership and investment.
What are your top priorities to support our Senior resident?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
Complete a thorough review of housing availability and projected needs for our residents.
Improve our transit options and mobility offerings for our seniors so they can navigate through Miami Beach with more ease. Establish mobile office Hours at our varying senior residential towers so I can hear from our seniors any issues or concerns, and provide an action report on those items.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
Ensuring that they have adequate access to safe public transportation, health care, and food. As I knock on doors throughout the city, I have encountered far too many who have slipped through our cracks, and who can go days without contact from anyone. One neighbor had a serious health crisis and no one knew about it for weeks. We are a small city of 82,000 residents with an $800 million budget – we can and must do better for each other.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
My top priorities are ensuring seniors are housed, have access to healthcare, and have sufficient food.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Ensure continued support for transportation and housing.
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
We should look to truly supporting our senior residents, and stop looking at them as a way to exploit them for votes at election time. Services like Freebies should be continued and expanded, recreational activities increased, and there should be programs at the local schools that incorporate our seniors. I see how their eyes and hearts light up when I bring my young daughter to visit, and there are a lot of opportunities to incorporate these two communities (seniors and our youth). Opportunities can include bringing the seniors to school shows, plays, recreational activities, etc.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
Affordable housing and being able to live in the place they know as home. Safety and security to walk the streets of our community free of fear.
Would you support a requirement that all persons testifying at meetings before the Commission and other City Boards, be asked to disclose if they have been compensated in any way for their testimony?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
This requirement is already part of the city code, and I support its continuation.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Yes
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Yes, absolutely. Our lobbyist disclosure rules should be tightened and more robustly enforced. Also, anyone receiving compensation for their support in an election from commission campaigns should be immediately disqualified from serving on City Boards. It is an absolute disgrace the amount of people paid for campaign / election activities and then are appointed to City Boards or receive awards at City Commission meetings at taxpayer expense. Quite frankly, the practice is disgusting.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
Absolutely.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
Absolutely, transparency is key to having trust in our government.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4): Absolutely.
Would you support a requirement that Commission and other City Board members recuse themselves from any votes that could be deemed conflicts of interest?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Absolutely. I would take that one step further and say Commissioners must disclose conversations they have had on issues they are voting on. Any commissioner that has personally or had a family member make a business payment to, or receive payment from a lobbyist, developer, or any other person or entity with business before the city would have to recuse from that issue.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
Absolutely
Andres Asion (Group 4): Absolutely.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4): Enthusiastically.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
Yes, I would support such a requirement. For example, Andres should have recused himself on 5th and Alton due to business relationships.
David Suarez (Group 5): Yes
Would you support having and text or phone surveys (amounting to social engineering) being executed on behalf of a Miami Beach campaign require disclosure? Do you think they should be eliminated?
Andres Asion (Group 4):
They already need to be disclosed and if we need to strengthen our city ordinances, I would be happy to do so.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
There should absolutely be disclosure. If done ethically and properly, polls can be useful.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
Yes, I would support requiring disclosure for text or phone surveys.
David Suarez (Group 5):
Yes
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
While eliminating surveys could run afoul of constitutional issues, the campaigns behind these surveys should be clearly identified. The entire campaign process is disgusting and should be completely overhauled.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
There should be total disclosure in any campaign activities whatsoever.
Based on the disclosure of Mayor Suarez having earned millions in side gigs as Mayor; do you have any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest as regarding your position on the commission and any employment or investment activities?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
No, I do not have any conflicts of interest.
David Suarez (Group 5):
No
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
NONE, ZERO. I have ZERO business or investment interests in Miami Beach. The company I work for has never done and never will do any type of business in Miami Beach. I do not have any ‘business partners’ nor have I ever paid or been paid by any person or company with any business interest in Miami Beach. My spouse, my parents, nor any other family members have any type of business or financial interests in Miami Beach aside from our primary residences.
Additionally, I publicly fought against the Washington Avenue project from the developer that paid Mayor Suarez for over a year.
Marcella Novela (Group 6): No, I do not. My professional work is in the arts community. My husband is involved in development and I have declared unequivocally he will not be involved in any projects on Miami Beach.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
No conflicts of interest and I will disclose any should they ever come up as required by state, county and city laws.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
None.
Any campaign rumors you’d like to clarify on your behalf with the WAvNA residents?
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
Just further clarifying the above, I have never received a single dollar of compensation from anyone other than my employer, which does ZERO business in Miami Beach. This is all readily accessible on my financial disclosures and tax returns, as I have never had a single dollar received outside of my W-2 compensation from my employer.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
I prefer to run on the issues and on my positions rather than traffic in or deal with rumors.
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
No
David Suarez (Group 5):
I have NO relation to Mayor Francis Suarez.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
None, I have been and continue to be a resident-focused candidate as I was born and raised in Miami Beach and believe in our city and future.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
Not that I’m aware of.
Top 3 things you’d enact in your first 3 months in office with your colleagues’ support?
Mitch Novick (Group 5):
The top three priorities for my first three months in office would be:
- Stopping overdevelopment and protecting our historic districts.
- Implementing a 2 a.m. curfew or regulation to manage late-night activities.
- Improving public safety across Miami Beach.
David Suarez (Group 5):
- Crack down on existing and future STRs within residential neighborhoods. Create an overlay across the city that prevents conversions from residential to STRs.
- CMB has a stormwater master plan, I will continue to move it forward. Our waterways need to be protected from the increase of trash being dumped into our sewer system that ultimately leads into our Bay
- Require a 6/7th vote on any height increases.
Andres Asion (Group 4):
- Reprioritize the action plan for responsible flood mitigation and the development of climate change strategies.
- Explore avenues to challenge state laws that erode local control, aiming to regain full authority over zoning and development within our city.
- Streamline our planning and zoning departments, which are currently causing delays and complications for residents and businesses trying to make necessary improvements to their properties.
Tanya Katzoff Bhatt (Group 4):
- Building Department/Permitting: I have many steps to improve the permitting process in the short term while we do the necessary wholesale revamping of the department for the long term. We cannot wait for improvements however, so in the meanwhile, basic blocking and tackling, like having an applicant get assigned a person to follow through the process from start to finish. Have the same inspector go back to follow up, rather than any random inspector, who happens to be free who as often as not contradicts the prior inspector’s comments. Having the same reviewer on the project from start to finish. Having different levels of concierge service, depending on the scope of the project, and the experience of the submitter. Allowing the submitter to upload revisions and cures, without waiting for every department, to sign off, which can take up to six weeks at each pass. These are just a handful of short-term adjustments that can improve the process is a wholesale reimagining of how the process works based on best practices from other permanent departments from around the country. It’s not rocket science and cities as complicated as New York manage to do it better than we do. That is not acceptable, and this lack of accountability will no longer be tolerated.
- Residential to transient conversion moratorium (see above).
- Review critical needs infrastructure plan to determine if reprioritization of projects is necessary, and re-start resiliency upgrades as needed for each particular neighborhood’s needs. I will prioritize the following measures to deal with flooding and stormwater management in the near term while working with experts to conceptualize and execute big-picture solutions in the long term:
Joe Magazine (Group 6):
- Stop the conversion of any residential housing into transient usages. The rampant conversion of residential housing to hotels and STR has caused housing affordability to diminish, neighbors be kicked out of their homes resulting in a lower full time residential population, and commercial usages to creep into our residential neighborhoods.
- Complete overhaul / revamp of our building department. Certain permits should be streamlined and expedited.
- A massive public right of way beautification program. Our city is not as clean as it once was, blighted, and public rights of way are run down and, in many cases, embarrassing.
Marcella Novela (Group 6):
- Additional police on the street in key areas.
- Clean streets campaign to eliminate trash and blight.
- Addressing traffic congestion.
- ensure that ALL stormwater drains are cleared of debris on a more frequent regular basis, and especially in advance of big storms.
- elevate the forthcoming stormwater master plan to ensure that it is prioritized and funded in order to give residents tangible relief from on-going issues.
- expedite the city’s sewer line replacement schedule to prevent the need for “repairs” in response to ruptures or sinkholes.
- reintroduce, where appropriate, the highly effective injection wells upon which we have relied in the past.
- ensure that our older pump stations have adequate power sources when needed and are PLUGGED IN before we’re hit by storms (yes, that really happened!).
- require new development projects to use porous cement technology where appropriate.
